Donald Trump flirted with a presidential candidacy earlier this year and decided not to go for the gold. But the New York billionaire this afternoon expressed admiration for another high-profile Republican currently flirting with a presidential run: Rick Perry.

In an interview with CNN’s Wolf Blitzer, Trump praised the Texas governor, as well as active GOP White House candidate Michele Bachmann and possible contender Sarah Palin.

“I do know the governor of Texas,” Trump told Blitzer. “He’s a very interesting candidate, I think, a very interesting candidate.”

Trump decided in May that he would not seek the Republican presidential nomination in 2012. But he left the door open for a possible Independent run next fall if the Republicans nominated the “wrong” candidate. (Hint: He spoke critically about GOP frontrunner Mitt Romney.)